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Thermal imaging
💧 NOT EVERY LEAK LEAVES A VISIBLE STAIN These thermal images are from inspections I carried out last week — and they’re a good example of why we use thermal imaging as part of our inspection process. In some areas there were visible stains or other clues that moisture may be getting in. In others, there was nothing obvious to see with the naked eye. The thermal camera identified abnormal cold patterns within the walls and ceilings, allowing me to target those areas for furth

Alex Willis
2 days ago1 min read
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Solid foundations?
🏚️ OVER 100 YEARS OLD… AND WHAT’S HOLDING THE HOUSE UP? Older homes can have plenty of character — but underneath them can be a very different story. During a recent inspection of a home more than 100 years old, we entered the subfloor and found sections where the timber bearers appeared to be supported directly on dirt, rocks and makeshift masonry — with no conventional piles visible in these areas. That’s something you definitely want to know about before you buy. 🔎 Why i

Alex Willis
3 days ago1 min read
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Internal gutters
⚠️ INTERNAL GUTTERS — WHAT’S HIDING UNDER THE PAINT? Internal gutters are one of the areas we pay particular attention to during a building inspection. Unlike an external gutter, an internal gutter sits within the building envelope. If it deteriorates, blocks or leaks, water can potentially enter the roof cavity or wall structure rather than simply spilling outside. These photos are a good example of what to look for. 🔎 Warning signs include: • Rust or corrosion inside the g

Alex Willis
3 days ago1 min read
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Why choose book a builder?
Not every inspector is keen to crawl a 400sqm subfloor… but that’s where the real issues hide. This property had a large, tight subfloor space — the kind many inspectors would be tempted to avoid or only partially check. At Book a Builder, we do things differently. 🛠️ Overalls on 🔦 Lights on 👷‍♂️ Builder’s eye engaged Because what’s under the house matters just as much as what you can see above it. As a qualified builder and BOINZ-accredited building surveyor, I know exact

Alex Willis
Feb 231 min read
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Hidden leaks
🔍 You’d Never Notice It… But We Did! 💧 On a recent pre-purchase inspection in Auckland, we found a tap leaking from the waste —a...

Alex Willis
Jul 21, 20251 min read
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